£165 Million has been released to councils from the UK government to enable disabled people in England to live in their own homes. But with all the recent announcements around cut backs across the board, will this funding continue and grow as it surely needs to in order to allow people to stay in their own homes and prevent the exorbitant costs incurred in admissions to care homes increasing?The disabled facilities grant (DFG) programme allows individuals to apply for a means tested grant of up to £30,000 from their local council. The grant can be used to make improvements to houses, such as providing better access to rooms and facilities, etc.

The grant also forms one of eight funding streams for participants in the Right to Control Trailblazer pilots, where people are able to direct their own support from several sources including the Independent Living Fund and Access To Work (to be honest we know little about this pilot at present so if you have any further details do feel free to post them…).

Jonathan Shaw, minister for disabled people, said ‘Disabled people are experts in their own lives – that’s why we’ve worked together to give them more control over funding and services. In the Right To Control Trailblazers, thousands of disabled people will have more choice over how funding, such as the Disabled Facilities Grant, can help them live independently in their own homes.’

How confident do we feel in the current process and does it work? What changes do you see ahead?

A full breakdown of local allocations is available at:

http://bit.ly/cN52Vd

For more information about Disabled Facilities Grants and how an Occupational Therapist can hep you access this funding or stay in your own home contact Inclusion via:

www.inclusion.me.uk